"You are my everything, Alethia, the light that pulled me from the abyss," a voice echoed in the depths of her mind.
"Father, please, I love him!" Alethia pleaded desperately.
Startled awake, Alethia reached out for the presence that lingered only in her dreams. Her heart raced, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She wiped them away, trying to calm her racing breath. Glancing at the alarm clock, she silenced it before it could disturb the silence that her dream had already shattered. She tried to grasp onto the details of her dream, but they slipped through her fingers like smoke. Frustrated, she groaned and sat up, preparing for the day ahead. Corie awaited her in the cafeteria, where she was to meet her new boyfriend, Brolly. After school, Chris would start training her, and she needed to find time for Zepher, her own boyfriend. They had agreed to spend at least one day a week together, even if it was just a simple coffee. The weight of her commitments pressed upon her as she dressed, her thoughts still plagued by the mysterious dreams that haunted her nights.
As she slipped her shirt over her head, Galen, her older brother, materialized before her. Concern filled his eyes as he asked, "Are you alright?"
Nodding, Alethia adjusted her hair and replied, "I'm fine, just these strange dreams. I wake up crying, but I can't remember why."
Galen's worry deepened, though he managed a smile. "It could be a multitude of things, but it's likely the anxiety of starting high school and discovering your destiny."
Gathering her belongings, Alethia sighed. "You're probably right. I shouldn't dwell on these dreams. Overthinking will only add to my stress."
Galen's smile widened. "Exactly. Now, get moving before Corie sets your phone on fire for being late to meet this enigmatic Brolly."
Alethia laughed, shouldered her bag, and put on her headphones as she descended the stairs to venture outside. Arriving at school, she stowed her bag in her locker and headed to the cafeteria, taking a seat at a secluded table, awaiting Corie's arrival.
After a few minutes lost in her music, Alethia felt someone take a seat beside her. Looking up from her phone, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger. He was larger than most boys their age, with short black hair and piercing brown eyes.
Removing her headphones and turning off her music, she smiled uncertainly. "Um, hey."
He nodded, his gaze fixed upon her, making her squirm in her seat.
Chewing on her bottom lip, she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You must be new here. I'm not sure if I've seen you around before. I'm Alethia." She extended her hand in the introduction.
He hesitated, his eyes locked on her hand. Finally, he relented and slipped his hand into hers. "Brolly," he replied slowly. "But those close to me call me Kakaron."
As soon as their hands met, Alethia gasped, fragments of her dream flooding her mind. "Kakaron!" Alethia cried as the guards dragged her away. "Father, please, don't do this! I love him!"
Pulling her hand away, Alethia struggled to steady her breathing as she looked up at Brolly. Her voice trembled as she quickly averted her gaze. "You... you're Brolly? Corie's boyfriend? She's told me so much about you." Unable to stop herself, she rambled on, her words tumbling out.
Brolly nodded, a small smile playing on his lips as he leaned against the table. "Yeah, that's me. And you must be the famous Alethia she's always talking about."
"Yeah, she's my best friend, almost like a sister. So if you hurt her..." Alethia's voice trailed off, unable to complete her sentence, her eyes darting away from Brolly.
Brolly's grip on her wrist loosened, and Alethia pushed herself away from the table, her balance wavering. Just before she could fall, Brolly's hand wrapped around her wrist, while Zepher's hands steadied her shoulders from behind. Assured of her safety, Brolly released his grip.
Looking up at Zepher as she leaned into his chest, Alethia smiled. "Oh, thank goodness you were here. I must have lost my footing."
Zepher grinned down at her. "Always here for my damsel in distress."
Alethia's smile widened as he helped her regain her footing. Brolly snorted at Zepher's comment, catching Zepher's attention. "What's so amusing?"
"She's far from a damsel in distress, and I doubt there's much you could do if she needed help," Brolly retorted, his voice laced with amusement.
Alethia sensed the tension radiating from Zepher as he glared at the newcomer. "And who are you to think your opinion matters to me?" she asked, her voice laced with defiance.
Zepher looked down at her, his eyes filled with protectiveness. "Why should he care about what I say to you?"
Alethia squirmed under Zepher's gaze, her green eyes meeting his. "He was just... I mean, we were just..."
"I was merely stating a fact," Brolly interjected, his voice dripping with confidence. "She is no damsel in distress. And even if she was, you wouldn't be able to do a damn thing to help her. She can handle herself better than most."
Zepher's anger flared, and his fists clenched. "You just met her. How the hell do you know what she's capable of?"
Alethia held her breath, uncertain of what would happen next. Zepher was ready to explode, and Brolly, towering over her, seemed ready for a fight.
"Enough, boys," Alethia's voice cut through the tension. "Brolly, please take a seat. And Zepher, maybe he's just trying to be nice. Not every girl wants to be seen as a damsel in distress."
Brolly grumbled under his breath but complied, sitting down. Zepher sighed, his anger dissipating as he squeezed Alethia's hand. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I don't know what got into me."
Alethia nodded, relieved that the situation was defused. Just then, Corie entered the cafeteria, hugging Alethia tightly. Alethia blushed, noticing Brolly's presence but not making any move to hug him or sit next to him.
"I see you've met my friends," Corie said, her voice soft as she looked at Brolly and then back at Alethia.
Alethia smiled, glancing at Brolly before focusing on Corie. "Yeah, he was here before you or Zepher. He seems really nice." She couldn't help but feel a hint of a blush creeping onto her cheeks, unsure of why.
Corie smiled, satisfied. "Well, I'm glad you guys are getting along."
Alethia forced a smile, choosing not to mention the almost altercation between Zepher and Brolly moments before. The bell rang, signaling the end of their break. "Class time, Corie. Let's get going before we're late."
Wrapping her arm around Corie's, Alethia led her out of the cafeteria, feeling a lingering gaze on her back. She glanced over her shoulder, finding that Zepher had already left, but Brolly was still watching them as they walked away. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, leading Corie off to class.
After school, Alethia hurriedly gathered her belongings, informing Zepher and Corie via text that she had work to do for her grandmother and would see them tomorrow. Just as she finished sending the text, she met Chris at the front doors. "Are you ready to explore one of your kingdoms?"
Alethia glanced around cautiously. "Shh, we don't want anyone overhearing us. Where are we going today?" she asked, beginning to walk home with Chris by her side.
"Well, today I will show you the art of realm hopping," Chris explained, matching Alethia's pace. "When you leave this realm, you will reconnect with your true self. According to the elders, you are on your way to Shudon, your betrothed's kingdom. It's not yet yours, but it will be once you marry."
Alethia glanced back at Galen and Phraan, who were walking a few steps behind them. She caught snippets of Phraan's muttering, something along the lines of "that day will never come." Shaking her head, she reached her house. "So, I'll meet you in Shudon then?"
Chris nodded. "Yes, just concentrate like you did last time. It should be easy and simple."
Nodding, Alethia made her way down the driveway. "Wish me luck. I'll call you if I encounter any problems."
Chris waved as she disappeared inside. Alethia headed to her bedroom, glancing around before tossing her bag on the floor. "Homework time!" she called out, sitting down at her computer and logging into Messenger. Then, she moved to her bed and focused her mind on where she wanted to go, blocking out her surroundings completely.
